They set the example. They lead by their actions, and often by their words. They are an ear to listen when one is needed. A voice to speak out when the moment is right.
They are dependable, on and off the field. They are the ones others watch in practice, in games and even in the locker room.
They are the ones, who quite simply, set the standard.
And that is why they were named the Steelers 2021 team captains.
Steelers' players voted on Monday for the captains and this year's team captains are Ben Roethlisberger on offense, Cameron Heyward on defense and Derek Watt on special teams.
Roethlisberger, who is in his 18th season, has been the team's offensive captain 13 times in his career, including 11consecutive seasons.
Heyward, who is in his 11th season, is a defensive captain for the seventh consecutive year.
This is the first time Watt has been voted the special teams captain, after joining the Steelers in 2020 as an unrestricted free agent and immediately making an impact on the unit.
Take a look at photos of the Steelers 2021 team captains
The Pittsburgh Steelers participate in the Organized Team Activities (OTAs), Tuesday June 1, 2021 at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97)
Pittsburgh Steelers fullback Derek Watt (44)
Pittsburgh Steelers fullback Derek Watt (44)
Pittsburgh Steelers fullback Derek Watt (44)
The following are the Steelers' team captains who have been selected during head coach Mike Tomlin's tenure (since 2007):
| YEAR | OFFENSE | DEFENSE | SPECIAL TEAMS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Hines Ward, WR | James Farrior, LB | James Harrison, LB |
| Clint Kriewaldt, LB | |||
| 2008 | Ben Roethlisberger, QB | James Farrior, LB | Jeff Reed, K |
| Hines Ward, WR | |||
| 2009 | Ben Roethlisberger, QB | James Farrior, LB | Jeff Reed, K |
| Hines Ward, WR | James Harrison, LB | Keyaron Fox, LB | |
| 2010 | Heath Miller, TE | James Farrior, LB | Keyaron Fox, LB |
| Hines Ward, WR | |||
| 2011 | Ben Roethlisberger, QB | James Farrior, LB | Armaz Battle, WR |
| Hines Ward, WR | |||
| 2012 | Ben Roethlisberger, QB | Brett Keisel, DE | |
| 2013 | Ben Roethlisberger, QB | Ryan Clark, S | |
| Maurkice Pouncey, C | Brett Keisel, DE | ||
| 2014 | Ben Roethlisberger, QB | Troy Polamalu, S | Robert Golden, S |
| Shaun Suisham, K | |||
| 2015 | Ben Roethlisberger, QB | William Gay, CB | Robert Golden, S |
| Cam Heyward, DE | |||
| 2016 | Ben Roethlisberger, QB | William Gay, S | Robert Golden, S |
| Cam Heyward, DE | |||
| 2017 | Ben Roethlisberger, QB | Cam Heyward, DE | |
| 2018 | Ben Roethlisberger, QB | Cam Heyward, DE | Chris Boswell, K |
| Maurkice Pouncey, C | |||
| 2019 | Ben Roethlisberger, QB | Cam Heyward, DE | Roosevelt Nix, FB |
| Maurkice Pouncey, C | |||
| 2020 | Ben Roethlisberger, QB | Cam Heyward, DE | Jordan Dangerfield, S |
| Maurkice Pouncey, C | T.J. Watt, LB | ||
| 2021 | Ben Roethlisberger, QB | Cam Heyward, DE | Derek Watt, FB |
Take a look at photos of the Steelers team captains under head coach Mike Tomlin
Hines Ward, 2007
James Farrior, 2007
William Gay, 2007
Clint Kriewaldt, 2007
Ben Roethlisberger, 2008
Hines Ward, 2008
James Farrior, 2008
Jeff Reed, 2008
Ben Roethlisberger, 2009
Hines Ward, 2009
James Farrior, 2009
James Harrison, 2009
Jeff Reed, 2009
Keyaron Fox, 2009
Heath Miller, 2010
Hines Ward, 2010
James Farrior, 2010
Keyaron Fox, 2010
Ben Roethlisberger, 2011
Hines Ward, 2011
James Farrior, 2011
Arnaz Battle, 2011
Ben Roethlisberger, 2012
Brett Keisel, 2012
Maurkice Pouncey, 2013
Ben Roethlisberger, 2013
Ryan Clark, 2013
Brett Keisel, 2013
Ben Roethlisberger, 2014
Troy Polamalu, 2014
Robert Golden, 2014
Shaun Suisham, 2014
Ben Roethlisberger, 2015
William Gay, 2015
Cameron Heyward, 2015
Robert Golden, 2015
Ben Roethlisberger, 2016
William Gay, 2016
Cameron Heyward, 2016
Robert Golden, 2016
Ben Roethlisberger, 2017
Cameron Heyward, 2017
A 2018 Regular Season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns on October 28, 2018. The Steelers defeated the Browns 33-18.
A 2018 Regular Season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Denver Broncos on Sunday, November 25, 2018. The Broncos defeated the Steelers 24-17.
A 2017 Postseason AFC Divisional playoff game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday January 14, 2018. The Jaguars defeated the Steelers 45-42.
A 2018 Regular Season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, November 4, 2018.
Ben Roethlisberger, 2019
Maurkice Pouncey, 2019
Cameron Heyward, 2019
Roosevelt Nix, 2019
Ben Roethlisberger, 2020
Maurkice Pouncey, 2020
Cameron Heyward, 2020
T.J. Watt, 2020
Jordan Dangerfield, 2020
Ben Roethlisberger, 2021
Cameron Heyward, 2021
Derek Watt, 2021
